Labor Management Relations

Public Sector Relations

Fewer than 10% of private sector workers choose union representation, while, for a variety of reasons, almost 40% of public sector workers choose representation. Labor management relations for the public sector is highly challenging and politically charged. In sharp contrast with private business, the reality of public sector relations is that business records are public, bargaining power is affected by the limited ability to withstand a strike and the inability to outsource work offshore, and many disputes and decisions go straight to interest arbitration.

Littler understands the sensitive legal and political environment of public sector work. The Firm has experience working with elected officials and administrative managers to determine a jurisdiction’s financial and service priorities and helping them utilize all the tools at their disposal to effect good outcomes in collective bargaining. The Firm provides legal advice, research, and analysis early in the negotiation process to enable clients to make strategic decisions that help them achieve their goals through voluntary collective bargaining. The Firm advises clients preparing for interest arbitration by helping them to research similar public sector entities and comparable settlements.

Attorneys in Littler’s Public Sector Relations Group measure their success by helping clients achieve their goals early on and voluntarily at the bargaining table—where it is less expensive in terms of transaction costs and usually paves the way for better employee relations. The Firm believes that being well-informed as to what has previously been accomplished, both at the bargaining table and in interest arbitration on core issues, is essential to positive negotiations and favorable outcomes.